Toronto Raptors guard Ochai Agbaji (30) drives on the Sacramento Kings forward DeMar DeRozan (10) in first half action at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on Sat Nov 2, 2024. (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Sacramento Kings (3-3) had a slow start as they took on the Toronto Raptors (2-5) losing in overtime 131-128. The Raptors led for most of the game but Sacramento was able to tie up the game in the fourth quarter as the clock ran out.

They had so many opportunities throughout this game as well as in the overtime but just couldn’t cash in. DeMar DeRozan had a season high of 33 points. Domantas Sabonis had a triple double and Keegan Murray finished with a double double before fouling out in the fourth quarter.

Game recap: It was a most entertaining first quarter with a multitude of lead changes. This game could not have been closer and the game was tied with 2:28 at 24. The Raptors were having some success off the bench with ten points scored.

As the first 12 minutes expired Toronto had dictated the pace of the game and had taken a 37-29 lead. The Raptors bench player Chris Boucher was the only player on the court with double digits .

He had hit most of the final 17 points scored by the Raptors in the quarter finishing with 12 points. Sacramento had poor ball protection in the quarter with five turnovers. Trailing by eight points, the Kings had some work to do.

The Raptors continued to extend their lead going into the second quarter. Injuries to the versatile wing Scottie Barnes and multi-faceted Kelly Olynyk had not hurt the Raptors so far in the game.

The Kings continued to bring up the rear trailing 59-49 with 4:50 left in the first half of play. Sacramento needed some sort of rally in the worst way and they did close a 12 point deficit significantly, cutting the Raptor lead to three points trailing at the half 63-66.

Sacramento had gone on an eight point run. Keegan Murray and De’Aaron Fox had begun to heat up and Malik Monk off the bench was the high score for the team with 15 points.

There was a special event on the floor at halftime. Vince Carter was honored for a remarkable career as he became the first Raptor to have his number 15 jersey retired. The entire arena celebrated this legend, this icon with thunderous applause. An emotional Carter fought back tears as he was introduced in this milestone moment in Raptor history. Canada finally had their very own Superstar when Carter came on the scene.

After the ceremony the third quarter got underway. The start of the quarter was a see-saw until the Raptors went on a run taking a ten-point lead to finish the quarter leading 96-86. They continued to control the pace going into the fourth quarter. Sacramento did pull to within two points but the Raptors went on yet another run and trailing by ten points, the Kings were unable to get over the top in this game.

The Raptors were out-rebounding the Kings, killing them from outside and also barely winning the battle from the field. This young Toronto team was giving the Kings all kinds of trouble and their record hardly indicates the talent that this team has.

They had been very impressive through three quarters. With 2:58 left in the game, the score was 111-110 in favor of the Raptors. The Kings had made their run and needed to sustain their effort and finally take the lead.

Toronto refused to back down taking their lead back to 113-110. Sacramento pushed back trailing by a single point 112-113. When it all was looking good for the Kings, Toronto hit another three, their 16th of the game.

This game was going down to the wire with Sacramento continuing to play catchup as Toronto hit their 17th three. With 28 ticks left on the clock it was a one-point game. Domantas Sabonis made a tip shot to tie up this game at 120 when the clock ran out. The game went into overtime and unfortunately, Keegan Murray had fouled out of the game at the end of the fourth quarter.

The Raptors got a solid start in overtime scoring a couple of buckets taking a 124-120 lead. With nine seconds left on the clock, Toronto’s RJ Barrett missed two free throws and the door was open for the Kings to tie up this game trailing 128-131. De’Aaron Fox closed the door missing a 27-foot jumper and the final score was 131-128 in favor of the Raptors.

This was a tough loss for the Kings. They had 18 turnovers and at times disappointing rebounding coupled with missed shots. DeMar DeRozan bettered his season high of 27 last night finishing with 33 points in this game. De’Aaron Fox scored 24 points and unfortunately missed the shot that counted the most in the final seconds. Malik Monk had 21 points off the bench

Game notes: Scotiabank Arena in Toronto Friday night the Kings hung on for their third win in a row beating the Atlanta Hawks 123-115 and couldn’t win their their fourth win in a row. They took to the court without Kevin Huerter who will be replaced by Doug McDermott in the starting lineup.

Huerter is out of the lineup missing his first game of the season with a non-covid illness. DeMar DeRozan received huge applause from fans in attendance welcoming him back on his former home court. He was a member of the Raptors from 2009-2018.

He had a special moment with former Toronto superstar Vince Carter who played for the Raptors from 1998-2004 and was the first Raptor to have his number retired. That jersey retirement ceremony took place at halftime. As far as the Raptor injury list, Scottie Barnes and Kelly Olynyk did not take the court. Bruce Brown and defender Immanuel Quickley rounded out the list for Toronto.

Monday night, the Kings will be in Miami taking on the Heat. Tipoff for this game is scheduled for 5:15 PM.